Livvy Dunne Rings in 24th Birthday in the Bahamas
Livvy Dunne celebrated her 24th birthday on Thursday with a trip to the Bahamas, sharing photos on Instagram that quickly drew attention from fans and fellow athletes. The former LSU gymnast and current Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model posted a carousel of images showing her in a baby-blue bikini, wearing a "Birthday Girl" tiara while poolside with a drink. In one photo, she held inflatable numbers marking 24; in another, her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, held her near the pool.
The caption was brief: "Washed up at 24," a playful nod to her retirement from competitive gymnastics. Dunne's Instagram Stories described the getaway as a "bday benderrrr."
Skenes Joins the Celebration
Skenes, who finished his season with the Pirates after they missed the postseason, posted his own tribute on Thursday, sharing four photos of Dunne with the caption "Happy birthday @livvydunne." The couple met at LSU and have been together for several years. Dunne has frequently attended Skenes' starts in Pittsburgh, including high-stakes games.
Friends and fellow influencers flooded the comments. Haley Cavinder, married to Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson, wrote "happy birthday!!!" while Olivia Ponton, girlfriend of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, added, "Happy birthday to the hottest girl." SI Swimsuit editor-in-chief MJ Day also sent well wishes, to which Dunne replied, "Love love love ya!"
From Gymnastics Stardom to Modeling and Acting
Dunne's "washed up" joke belies a busy post-gymnastics career. She retired from competitive gymnastics in April 2025 after a kneecap injury ended her NCAA career, but has since built a multifaceted brand in modeling, social media, and acting. With 5.1 million Instagram followers, she remains one of the most prominent names in name, image, and likeness (NIL) marketing.
She has completed four consecutive SI Swimsuit shoots, appearing in Puerto Rico (2023), Portugal (2024), Bermuda (2025), and an upcoming 2026 feature. Last year, she performed a flawless split at the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show in Miami, further cementing her status as a crossover star.
Baywatch Reboot and Upcoming Projects
Dunne is set to appear in Fox's reboot of Baywatch as a young lifeguard named Grace, alongside Stephen Amell, Jessica Belkin, Hassie Harrison, Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader, and Noah Beck. The 12-episode series was initially expected to premiere this fall but has been bumped to late January 2027. The role marks her most significant acting gig to date and could expand her audience beyond sports and swimwear fans.
Meanwhile, Skenes recently made headlines for suggesting the World Baseball Classic contributed to a dip in his fastball velocity—from 98.8 mph as a rookie to 96.8 mph this season—and a rise in his ERA to 3.91. He said he might not be the only pitcher affected. With the Pirates' season over, he was free to join Dunne in the Bahamas.
A Cultural Moment for Athlete Influencers
Dunne's birthday celebration is more than a personal milestone; it reflects the growing intersection of sports, social media, and entertainment. As one of the first NIL superstars, she has parlayed college gymnastics fame into a mainstream career, blurring the lines between athlete, model, and actress. Her ability to stay in the spotlight after retiring from her sport underscores the power of personal branding in the digital age.
Her relationship with Skenes, one of baseball's most electric young pitchers, adds another layer of visibility. The couple has become a fixture in sports media, with Dunne's presence at games drawing as much attention as Skenes' performances. This dynamic is increasingly common among young athletes who leverage their platforms for broader cultural relevance.
As she enters her 24th year, Dunne shows no signs of slowing down. With a major TV role on the horizon and a thriving modeling career, her "washed up" quip is likely the only thing about her that's fading—and even that was just a joke.
What's Next
Dunne's fans can look forward to her Baywatch debut in early 2027, along with more SI Swimsuit content and continued appearances at Skenes' games. For now, she's enjoying a birthday getaway that has once again put her in the cultural conversation—not bad for someone who claims to be washed up at 24.
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